Greeley residents, Colorado pols react to Trump’s border wall plan

Here are some reactions from Greeley residents and elected officials who represent this area to the announcement Thursday that President Donald Trump plans to sign a compromise funding bill to keep the government open and declare a state of emergency to fund his proposed border wall.

Chenoa Kinimaka

• Chenoa Kinimaka, 23, a University of Northern Colorado student: “You can build a wall as high as you want, but I don’t think that’s going to stop people from attempting to enter into the country.”

Don Lindman

• Don Lindman, 57, retired Greeley resident: “There are too many jobs being taken by illegal aliens, too many drugs coming into our country, I could go on a list. I’m ex-military. If I was in the military, I’d be standing on that border, too. I agree with him 100 percent.”

Caleb Leonard

• Caleb Leonard, 22, a University of Northern Colorado student: “It’s complex. The way I look at it is I have a heart for internationals. I have friends who are refugees, asylees, things like that, and they’re wonderful people. They are very hospitable. … The wall and the way Trump is conducting himself is not a very good representation of the American people, who we are. But at the same time I also could see how the wall could sort of benefit because it can reduce criminal activity and sex trafficking, things like that.”

Ken Buck

• Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.: “President Trump intends to declare a national emergency so he can reduce the flow of heroin into our country and stop gang members from entering illegally. Both Presidents Obama and Clinton made similar declarations in the past. I respect his decision, and I expect to see military construction operations begin on the border, but I remain concerned about the precedent this sets for future presidents.”

Michael Bennet

• Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.: “Whatever your politics, every American should worry about President Trump’s attempt to bypass the U.S. Congress by inventing a national emergency. This is not how the world’s oldest democracy should conduct itself. The President should not declare a national emergency to fulfill a campaign promise that neither the Congress nor the American people support. This is a dangerous precedent that should concern everyone who cares about the health of our democracy and our institutions.”

• State Rep. Rochelle Galindo, D-Greeley: “When the president shut down the federal government this year, he cost Colorado’s economy $201 million per month. Many hardworking federal employees struggled to make rent, mortgage or car loan payments, to pay for utility or medical bills and to keep food on the table as a result. I’m glad that we aren’t looking at a repeat of this damaging shutdown, but he also shouldn’t circumvent the legislative process for political gain.”

— The Tribune’s Trevor Reid and Tyler Silvy contributed to this report.